Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction takes place at Truman State University

For only the second time in the Hall's history a ceremony was held away from Springfield.

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By Ryan Ronan

Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO

By Ryan Ronan

Posted Dec. 6, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Updated Dec 6, 2012 at 12:32 PM

By Ryan Ronan

Posted Dec. 6, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Updated Dec 6, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Kirksville

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame held its second annual enshrinement away from Springfield on Wednesday night at Truman State University.

There were eight inductees and the 1969-1971 football teams from Northeast Missouri State College represented by head coach Russ Sloan, who is a member of the Hall himself.

Some of the evening's highlights included the first father and son induction, 97-year-old Gerald "Shag" Grossnickle brought the crowd to its feet with his moving stories about his life and what it meant to be inducted with his son Gary "Skip" Grossnickle.

"This is a great honor to be inducted, but to be inducted with my son is the greatest," said Shag

Skip shared his own touching thoughts on what it meant growing up in Kirksville.

"As an athlete I believe the support and encouragement you receive is all you can ask for, and that started right here in Kirksville. I understand that this honor is a reflection on those people who helped me."

Skip was a member of the Kirksville High School football team, starting at quarterback as a freshman. He later went on to star at the University of Missouri, including being named all-Big Eight as a senior and being drafted by the New Orleans Saints.

Bill Clarke who was among other things a Major League Baseball umpire and scout, provided the laughter for the evening, entertaining with his stories of umpiring games including games where two of the other inductees Skip Grossnickle and Darold Knowles faced each other.

"I was the best umpire in central Missouri! Why? Because I said I was the best," said Clarke.

The inductee who enjoyed the most on-field success. Darold Knowles, was also the most humbled. Informing the guests of how elementary school children in his small hometown of Brunswick, bombarded the election board with nominee letters, Knowles who played 11 years in professional baseball including winning three straight World Series championship with the Oakland A's from 1972-1974. Closed his speech with a humbling message.

"I am honored to be a standing member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. This is outstanding," he said.

Sloan closed out the night by sharing what made those Bulldog teams so special.

"Character. Every Bulldog in this room is a survivor and a winner," he said.

However he also wanted it to be known that his teams had plenty of talent. Three members of the team were all drafted into the NFL in the same season, and two others were drafted into the WFL, a feat that any Division II program would have a hard time matching.

"In those years we probably had the best group of wide receivers of any college in America," Sloan said.

However, coach made sure everyone knew it takes more than talent to become a champion.

Page 2 of 2 - "We never judged players on size, but on the size of their hearts."

Other inductees included Dr. John Bailey, for his contributions in sports medicine. Bailey has contributed to Kirksville and Adair County in many ways including acting as the Truman State team physician. Bob Roberts, who is still coaching, was inducted for his nearly 900 wins as a high school basketball coach. Ben Pitney was inducted for his contributions to basketball and as an athlete director. Shane Cavanah was enshrined for his football coaching career, which spanned from 1964-2009.

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame was originally founded in 1951 as a group of plaques in a boardroom. In 1990, powerful members in Missouri sports came up with the idea of creating a true hall of fame, and in 1994 after much discussion the Hall opened in Springfield.

The Hall now has 459 members and 24 Missouri Sports Legends, including Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, Dick Vermeil, Marshall Faulk and Norm Stewart, who was in attendance for last nights ceremony.

Last year the Hall of Fame began hosting enshrinement ceremonies away from Springfield, for three basic reasons. The large number of inductee applicants, as a way to publicize the hall, and finally as new way to help raise money for the hall. Last year's event was held in St. Josephs, and the yearly Springfield enshrinement will take place on January 27.